New Jersey’s 2009 environmental achievers

New Jersey Meadowlands photo by shutterbugMike

It was good to see the outstanding environmental achievements of numerous individuals, companies, organizations and government units recognized by New Jersey’s governor on Thursday night.

Among the winners of the 2009 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards were our friends Michael Catania and his colleagues at Conservation Resources Inc in Chester who have devised numerous creative methods to match tiny-to-large conservation projects all over the state with available funding sources.

And there’s the New Jersey Audubon Society which was recognized for its many years of work in protecting and restoring endangered Delaware Bay ecosystems, home to many lifeforms, including the energizer bunny of the bird world, the famed but imperiled red knot.

Someone should immediately nominate the Audubon folks for the same award next year in recognition of their leadership in the second half of 2009 when the state’s open space and farmland preservation program ran out of money and chances of winning voter support for new borrowing via a November ballot question appeared dim at best.

Undaunted, the Audubon Society rallied hundreds of environmental and conservation organizations and local governments behind a NJ Keep it Green campaign which convinced voters to approve $400 million in new funding.

This year’s winners included some big names, like Hoffman LaRoche and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. And some lesser-known folks, like Dr. John Kirk of the New Jersey School of Conservation at Montclair State University, who developed a multi-disciplinary approach for teaching environmental education around the world…

… and Clem Fiori, and artist and photographer, who helped secure federal funding which led to the planting of more than a thousand trees on a network of open spaces in his hometown of Montgomery Township, Somerset County.

Maybe the most timely recognition of all was that given to the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association which is celebrating its 60th year of protecting and enhancing the waterways of central New Jersey through conservation, advocacy, science and education.

The annual awards program is coordinated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and is sponsored by sponsored by the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. A panel of judges evaluates nominees based on innovation and the long-term benefits the work has achieved.

You can read about all the 2009 award winners here, and about last year’s winners here.

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Attend this NJ green building conference without leaving the office

You suspect there may be valuable things to see and learn at the Jan. 12-14 New Jersey Builders Association’s Green Build Event and Expo but you don’t know how you’d possibly find that time and to travel to and tour the event.

Fortunately, you won’t need to. The only travel involved is the distance to your computer and you can budget the time whenever you find some. That’s because this three-day event, featuring educational tracks, an exhibit hall, and keynote presentations is all online.

Yes, it’s a ‘virtual trade show’ you can attend via your computer. No travel, parking, lines, or aggressive salespeople. You can cruise this one in your pajamas if you like (no one will know).

Still, event promoters promise you’ll gain access to:

“leading experts in residential construction, commercial and industrial development, remodeling and redevelopment, governmental policy, and marketing who will present informative and educational seminars throughout the three-day conference” PLUS…

“…a virtual exhibit hall will feature the latest products and services pertaining to green building, so that all participants can maximize their investment of time and resources,”

For more, visit our Enviro-Events Calendar, where you’ll also learn about other New Jersey and Pennsylvania environmental events, like these:

December 8
Site Remediation Reform Act and LSRP Program: A Revolutionary New Way of Doing Business in New Jersey 8:30 to 4:30, Newark, NJ. This one-day program is designed to familiarize practitioners and those associated with site remediation with the Site Remediation Reform Act and the new way of doing remedial business in the Garden State. The newly adopted regulations will be discussed in depth by the NJDEP officials who developed the rules. Presented by NJDEP, Rutgers University Office of Continuing Professional Education, and the Licensed Site Remediation Professional Association Information & Registration

December 8
The Economy and Government Policy: What’s in Store for New Jersey? 7:45 a.m. – 2 p.m., Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Route 1 South, Iselin, NJ. The New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) has convened many of the State’s top political and business leaders for a day of lively discussion about the many challenges facing New Jersey today and in the future. Invited keynote speakers include Governor Jon Corzine and US Senator Robert Menendez. Network with many of New Jersey’s most influential business executives. Top legislative leaders, seasoned political observers and experts on the economy will tell you what to expect in 2010. At this networking event of the year, hear from: Governor Jon Corzine, US Senator Robert Menendez, NJ’s top legislative leaders, political experts on the recent elections and experts on the economy. Cost: $175 per person for NJBIA members and $250 for nonmembers (includes breakfast and lunch). Register online now or for more information, contact Katie Wittkamp at 609-393-7707, ext. 239. To become a sponsor, contact Sherry Esteves at 609-393-7707, ext. 219.

December 17
Free Penn State Marcellus Shale Webinar: Legislation and Litigation: A Year in Review 1 p.m. Presenter: Ross Pifer, director of the Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center, Penn State Dickinson School of Law. Information about how to register for the free webinars is available online. Online participants will have the opportunity to ask the speaker questions during the webinar. For more information, visit Penn State’s Natural Gas Impacts webpage or contact Joann Kowalski, extension educator in Susquehanna County, at 570- 278-1158 or by sending email to: jmk20@psu.edu.

December 19
Winter Waterfowl and Birds of Prey 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ. The lakes, fields, and forests of Duke Farms attract a host of ducks, geese, hawks and even eagles. This birding experience is designed for beginning and intermediate birders. No bird-watching experience is necessary. Led by naturalists from New Jersey Audubon, this tour of Duke Farms will focus on the ways to identify these seasonal visitors to central New Jersey. Cost: $15 per person. Space is limited and advance registration is required at http://www.dukefarms.org/ or by calling (908) 722-3700. Duke Farms is located at 80 Route 206 South in Hillsborough, approximately 2 miles south of the Somerville traffic circle, enter via Dukes Parkway East.

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These are just a few of the many great seminars, forums and other educational and networking opportunities on our Envio-Events Calendar.
Get on our list and receive f*ree email updates when new items are added. Just type the word ‘events’ in the subject line of an email and send it to: enviro-calendar@aweber.com Then watch your email for a one-step confirmation.

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NJ’s late season crop of green legislation


Returning to Trenton from a prolonged vacation that began before July 4 and extended through the November 4 election, state lawmakers have already introduced a truckload of new environmental legislation–much of it addressing the hot areas of energy conservation and alternative energy production.

Although few of the bills have a chance to be enacted during the remaining weeks of the current lame duck session, they’ll all be ready for consideration when the Senate and Assembly reconvene for a new two-year session in early January.

Here are just a few of the more than 50 new green bills introduced since November 23:

A-4179 Milam, M.W. (D-1); Albano, N.T. (D-1) Allows construction of wind dependent energy facilities within 500 feet of mean high water line of tidal waters under certain circumstances.
[Translation: on boardwalk piers]

A-4181 Coyle, D.M. (R-16) Requires energy monitoring systems to be installed in new commercial buildings; allows credit against corporation business tax and gross income tax for costs of purchasing and installing energy monitoring systems.

A-4182 Coyle, D.M. (R-16) Permits developer to qualify for low interest loan from NJEDA when building new green housing.

A-4184 Coyle, D.M. (R-16) Authorizes county colleges and county vocational school districts to establish green job certification programs.

A-4185 Coyle, D.M. (R-16) Creates a green building competition.

A-4186 Coyle, D.M. (R-16) Provides gross income tax exclusion for income earned by completing qualified energy efficient and renewable energy job training.

A-4193 Burzichelli, J.J. (D-3) Establishes standards for fertilizer application to turfgrass systems.

A-4195 Coyle, D.M. (R-16) Establishes six-month paid green internship program in Department of Community Affairs.

A-4235 Vainieri Huttle, V. (D-37) Allows independent institutions of higher education to be eligible for NJ alternative fuel vehicle rebate and alternative fuel infrastructure programs.

A-4238 Wagner, C. (D-38) “Plastic Carryout Bag Reduction Act.”

S-3004 Sarlo, P.A. (D-36) Changes the scope of public notification regarding contaminated site remediation.

S-3013 Singer, R.W. (R-30) Requires State entities to purchase biofuels in place of fossil fuels when it is reasonable, prudent and cost effective to do so.

S-3022 Smith, B. (D-17) Requires EDA to establish a “High Performance Green Building Demonstration Project.”

S-3039 Smith, B. (D-17) Requires eligible applicants for innocent party grants from “Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund” to own subject property through application process.

S-3041 Smith, B. (D-17) Imposes certain conditions on NJPDES permit for energy generation facilities that withdraw water from, or discharge water to, a shallow lagoonal estuary

S-3105 Van Drew, J. (D-1) Requires BPU to provide same financial incentives for purchase and installation of wind technologies as for solar technologies.

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New Jersey enviro-on-the-lam jailed in China


Justin Franchi Solondz, a 30-year-old native of Randolph, NJ, who has been running from the FBI for eight years after allegedly participating in the destruction of a horticulture center at the University of Washington, was convicted on Friday of drug charges and sentenced to three years in prison in Dali, China.

When his sentence is complete, he’ll be deported to the United States to face eco-terrorism charges.

The FBI says Solondz made incendiary devices that destroyed a horticulture center at the University of Washington in Seattle in May 2001. Prosecutors also accuse him of burning down buildings and vehicles in Oregon that same day, and linked him to a later arson attack in California. The combined property loss was more than $5 million.
Related:



Our most recent posts:

New Jersey boosts solar energy, green building
NJ-based NRG and Covanta get road wins
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Upcoming environmental events in NJ & PA

Check out these great upcoming events
in New Jersey and Pennsylvania:


December 1
Pennsylvania DEP Public Meeting on Results of TEC Emission Reduction Efforts
7 p.m., Perkiomen Valley Middle School East auditorium, 100 Kagey Road, Collegeville, PA.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting to update residents on efforts to reduce airborne trichloroethylene or TCE levels in that area of Montgomery County. Background information on the work conducted to date, as well as previous air monitoring reports and presentations from previous public meetings, have been posted on DEP’s Southeast regional Web page – http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/redirector?varURL=http://www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Collegeville.

December 8
Site Remediation Reform Act and LSRP Program: A Revolutionary New Way of Doing Business in New Jersey 8:30 to 4:30, Newark, NJ. This one-day program is designed to familiarize practitioners and those associated with site remediation with the Site Remediation Reform Act and the new way of doing remedial business in the Garden State. The newly adopted regulations will be discussed in depth by the NJDEP officials who developed the rules. Presented by NJDEP, Rutgers University Office of Continuing Professional Education, and the Licensed Site Remediation Professional Association Information & Registration


December 11
Roundtable Breakfast with NJ Board of Public Utilities Decision-Makers
8:30 to 10 a.m., Forsgate Country Club, Monroe, NJ. At the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce’s next Roundtable Breakfast, BPU Commissioner Elizabeth Randall and BPU President Jeanne Fox will address the topic: How Does BPU Policies and Programs Impact NJ Companies? As part of the presentation, they will discuss the New Administration • NJ Clean Energy Program • Energy Master Plan • Natural Gas, Electricity, Water, Telecommunications and Cable Television Industries • BPU Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and other items. Registration Information Registrations are only accepted with payment. Your credit card will be billed the appropriate amount. No refunds after December 9, 2009 • $10 cancellation fee. To register, go to:
http://www.njchamber.com/Events/fox%20randall%2009.asp

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These are just a few of the many great seminars, forums and other educational and networking opportunities on our Envio-Events Calendar. Get on our list and receive free updates when new items are added. Just type the word ‘events’ in the subject line of an email and send it to: enviro-calendar@aweber.com Then watch your email for a one-step confirmation.

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New Jersey boosts solar energy, green building

A new program providing rebates for solar panels and related equipment manufactured in New Jersey has been kicked off by the state’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU).

Also making New Jersey environmental news is a bill scheduled for action on Monday in the state Legislature that would provide low-interest loans for building projects that meet green standards.

Rebates for solar equipment made in New Jersey
The BPU’s new program offers consumers, businesses, and municipalities that purchase solar panels, inverters, and racking systems manufactured in New Jersey a rebate of up to 25 cents per watt for panels, and up to 15 cents per watt for inverters and racking systems. The program is expected to provide $1 million in incentives to the state’s consumers, businesses, and municipalities over the coming months.

BPU President Jeanne M. Fox said the program “supports our environmental, energy, and economic development goals and helps establish New Jersey as a hub for the growing green economy.”

To qualify for the incentives, applicants must use products manufactured with at least 50 percent of the product cost – including the labor, overhead, components, and raw materials – from facilities located in New Jersey. Products must also comply with applicable Underwriters Laboratory standards and be commercially available to the public.

Yearly audits will be performed to ensure manufacturing compliance. Organizations awarded a grant under New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund (CEMF) are automatically certified as a New Jersey manufacturer.

Additional information about the program and all of the business and residential incentives offered by New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program can be found at http://www.njcleanenergy.com/ or by calling 1-866-NJSMART (1-866-657-6278).


In the Legislature, a bill to encourage green buildings

The Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee on Monday will take up A-2065, which permits developers to qualify for low-interest loan from NJEDA when building a high performance green building.

Sponsored by Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex) and Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden), the measure directs the Economic Development Authority to develop a program that makes low-interest loans available to

“a developer or redeveloper who constructs a new building or renovates an
existing building that, when completed, qualifies as a high performance green
building. “

The bill defines a “high performance green building” as one:

“having at least 15,000 square feet in total floor area that is designed and constructed in a manner that achieves at least a silver rating according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System as adopted by the United States Green Building Council.


Our most recent posts:
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New Jersey sets new recycling grant record
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Also check out our:
Enviro-Business News
Enviro-Events Calendar

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